Computer Science

It’s a great way to develop critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving skills, which can be transferred to further learning and to everyday life. The aims of this qualification are to enable learners to develop:

An understanding and ability to apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including: abstraction, decomposition, logic, algorithms and data representation.

The ability to analyse problems in computational terms through practical experience of solving such problems, including writing programs to do so.

The capacity to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically.

The capacity to see relationships between different aspects of computer science.

Mathematical skills.

What will I study?

Year 12

Paper 1

The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices

Software and software development

Programming

Exchanging data

Data types, data structures and algorithms

Legal, moral, ethical and cultural issues

Paper 2

Elements of computational thinking

Problem solving and programming

Algorithms

Year 13

Paper 1

The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices

Software and software development

Exchanging data

Data types, data structures and algorithms

Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues

Worth 40%

Paper 2

Elements of computational thinking

Problem solving and programming

Algorithms to solve problems and standard algorithms

Worth 40%

Coursework – Non exam assessment

The learner will choose a computing problem to work through according to the guidance in the specification.

Analysis of the problem

Design of the solution

Developing the solution

Evaluation

Worth 20%

How will I be assessed?

There is no Exam in Year 12.

2 exams in Year 13 – 2 hours 30 Mins long for each exam and each is worth 40%
1 piece of coursework – Non exam assessment – programming – Worth 20 % of the total mark.

Where can it lead?

Students who want to go on to higher study and employment in the field of computer science will find it provides a superb stepping stone, it will also provide a good grounding for other subject areas that require computational thinking and analytical skills.